But Ronny Deila’s men returned to winning ways in dominant fashion and might have won by more with Kris Commons – on his first league start since November 22 – denied twice by the crossbar and twice by Killie keeper Craig Samson.

Watching on: Deila was pleased with the attitude and commitment of his team as they kept the pressure on Aberdeen at the summit (Picture from Sky Sports)

It was the perfect sign-off for the Hoops ahead of jetting off to Gran Canaria tomorrow morning for a winter training camp before returning to face high-flying Hamilton a week on Saturday.

Killie, meanwhile, knew a third straight league victory would have moved them into the top six for the first time in over a month.

Influential: The former Derby man could not add to his three league goals this season – but did everything but score (Picture from Sky Sports)

The Scot rattled the crossbar twice with thunderous efforts from the edge of the box as the hosts were left hanging on amid the incessant Celtic pressure.

Killie took 28 minutes to conjure any opportunity of note as Josh Magennis met an inswinging free-kick from Alexei Eremenko, his glancing header forcing Gordon to save low to his right.

The visitors went ahead soon after as Honduran full-back Izaguirre latched onto Johansen’s pass before crashing an unstoppable left-footed volley past Samson for only his third goal for the club.

Collector’s item: Izaguirre netted against Partick in the League Cup earlier this season but rarely gets on the scoresheet (Picture from Sky Sports)

Recording 63% of possession in the first period, Deila’s team kept the ball better than their hosts on the artificial surface and deserved more than a one-goal lead for their efforts.

Only a superb one-handed save from former St Mirren stopper Samson prevented a fierce Commons drive from finding the back of the net.

Man of the match Commons was the source of all danger to the home rearguard – and Killie defender Mark Connolly had to take one in the face to keep another powerful shot at bay.

Making his mark: Scepovic netted his fourth goal of the season in his 17th appearance in all competitions (Picture from Sky Sports)

The gloss eventually arrived on 72 minutes as Efe Ambrose’s header from a Johansen corner was flicked home by Serbian striker Scepovic, whose only other goal this term also came in a 2-0 win over Killie at Celtic Park in October.

Peripheral figure: Fisher’s only other appearance this season was against Dinamo Zagreb last month in the Europa League (Picture from Sky Sports)

The Hoops gave only a second outing of the season to 20-year-old right-back Darnell Fisher late on and continued to stream forward.

Killie’s stand-in skipper Connolly was fortunate to escape punishment after appearing to handle Izaguirre’s shot in the box before Celtic substitute Callum McGregor’s deflected shot kissed the outside of the post in stoppage time.

TEAMS:

Kilmarnock:

Full-strength: The suspended Craig Slater was the only absentee in a strong-looking Killie XI

Substitutes: Muirhead (for Johnston 35′), Pascali (for Hamill 80′)

Booked: Connolly (7), Hamill (65)

Goals: None

CELTIC:

Surprises: Henderson, Commons and Scepovic were included in the Hoops side

(Reuters) - The return of all-rounder Ben Stokes will be a welcome boost to the England squad as he provides much-needed balance and lifts morale, team mate Moeen Ali said ahead of the two-match test series in New Zealand.

(Reuters) - An emotional Juan Martin del Potro could barely believe he had finally won a Masters 1000 series title at the 51st attempt at Indian Wells on Sunday but is determined to keep the trophies coming in his late career renaissance.